Diversity Adds Zest To Aurora Community

December 14, 1985

When a residential developer plans a community, the marketing approach usually is based on buyers` traditional list of priorities--location, price, interior and exterior design and construction quality.

However, as homes are sold and the community begins to take shape, another factor emerges as an important marketing and sales element--the character of a community. Who lives there and what are they like?

The Coach Homes of Spring Lake, a United Development of 112 townhouses in the Du Page County portion of Aurora, has residents almost equally segmented into three groups: singles, young married couples and empty-nesters.

Eight one- and two-bedroom floor plans range in size from 811 to 1,269 square feet and in price from $48,990 to $66,990. The subdivision is more than 75 percent sold out with construction of three new buildings underway.

The population balance has brought a vitality and diversity to Spring Lake that appeals to new buyers, said Al Goodman, vice president of sales for United.

``Singles and young married couples enjoy the same activities as empty-nesters and the blending of the different groups has worked well,`` Goodman said.

``Look at older neighborhoods in the city. They are communities with a blend of family types, young and old, and singles living in apartments. If the balance tips too far one way or the other, the community loses some of its character.``

Maintenance is provided, for a monthly fee ranging from $6l to $85, by a management firm retained by United.